This Agatha Christie-Inspired Murder, She Wrote Episode Remains TV’s Best Whodunit

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Murder, She Wrote is widely considered one of the most beloved and successful mystery series ever made. The show centered around Jessica Fletcher, a mystery novelist who found herself solving actual crimes, frequently in her small town of Cabot Cove, but later in various locations around the world. The series title was inspired by the film Murder She Said, which was based on an Agatha Christie novel. Rather than avoiding comparisons to Christie’s work, Murder, She Wrote embraced them, acknowledging the similarities between Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple, and even crafting an episode based on Christie’s famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express.

The first season of Murder, She Wrote includes the episode “Murder Takes the Bus,” which is heavily inspired by Agatha Christie’s famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express. Though not a direct retelling, the episode shares many similarities with Christie’s work. However, “Murder Takes the Bus” also introduces its own unique surprises, creating a compelling mystery while honoring a legendary crime writer.

What Is Murder on the Orient Express About?

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, originally published in 1934, follows the famous detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder that occurs during a train journey on the Orient Express. A heavy snowstorm leaves the train stranded, and Poirot soon discovers that several passengers have secrets they’re trying to hide, making the case particularly challenging.

The case takes an unexpected turn when Poirot discovers the murder victim, Samuel Ratchett, was actually a notorious criminal named Cassetti. Cassetti had escaped punishment for a terrible crime – the kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old girl, Daisy Armstrong. Though the crime occurred abroad, it received extensive international media coverage, and Poirot was familiar with the details. Learning that Ratchett was a criminal, not an innocent man, leads Poirot to believe there are now more potential motives to consider.

Despite being limited by the snowstorm and confined to the train, Poirot begins interviewing all potential suspects in Samuel Ratchett’s murder – primarily the other passengers. As he investigates, Poirot uncovers surprising links between each person and the victim, revealing connections to the Armstrong family or past grievances related to Ratchett’s actions. The central question remains: who is responsible for Samuel Ratchett’s death in Murder on the Orient Express?

Agatha Christie’s ninety-one-year-old novel features a shocking twist: detective Poirot discovers that every passenger played a role in the murder of Ratchett. Ratchett was stabbed twelve times, and with thirteen suspects, Poirot proposes each person delivered one stab, except for one woman who participated in the plot but didn’t physically attack him. Despite this deduction, there’s no concrete proof to determine which specific stab wound caused his death.

The most surprising and debated part of this Agatha Christie novel was the realization of who the killers were and understanding their reasons for murdering the awful Samuel Ratchett. Poirot, perhaps feeling sympathy or believing he couldn’t definitively prove his initial theory about all twelve suspects, offered an alternative explanation that cleared everyone on the train. Ultimately, it was decided that this second solution – that a random person committed the murder – would be the official story given to the police.

Murder, She Wrote Paid Homage to Murder on the Orient Express

The Murder, She Wrote episode “Murder Takes the Bus” (Season 1, Episode 19) borrows heavily from Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. While not a direct remake, it’s a loving tribute to the famous mystery. The story begins with Jessica Fletcher and her friend, Sheriff Amos, traveling by bus to Portland, where Jessica is scheduled to give a speech.

Like Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, the story in “Murder Takes the Bus” begins when a journey is stopped by bad weather. This time, a heavy rainstorm and thunderstorm force the bus to stop, and the passengers seek shelter in a roadside diner while the driver, Ben Gibbons, attempts repairs. However, one passenger, Gilbert Stoner, stays on the bus. When Jessica returns to retrieve a forgotten book, she discovers Gilbert has been murdered – seemingly stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver.

I’m really getting into this mystery! It’s about Jessica and Sheriff Amos teaming up to figure out who killed Gilbert Stoner, but they’re stuck in the middle of a storm with no way to call for backup. What’s fascinating is that Stoner wasn’t some random guy – he was actually a recently released criminal, which immediately reminded me of the setup in Murder on the Orient Express. Just like that story, Jessica quickly discovers that a lot of the people on the bus had some kind of connection to the victim, Gilbert. It’s a classic ‘everyone’s a suspect’ situation, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

Okay, so this case is getting seriously tangled. We’ve got Gilbert, a bank robber whose heist went horribly wrong. Not only did one of his crew die during the robbery, but tragically, an innocent girl named Julie Gibbons was also caught in the crossfire. The layers just keep coming: I discovered one of the dead robbers was the father of Steve Pascal, a passenger on the bus. And it gets even more heartbreaking – the bus driver, Bob Gibbons, is Julie’s father. It’s a devastating connection that adds incredible weight to this already complex situation. This isn’t just a crime; it’s a web of personal tragedy.

These connections, along with a link between a third passenger and Gilbert Stoner, ultimately revealed the truth, mirroring a plotline from the Murder, She Wrote episode “Murder Takes the Bus.” Though the Murder, She Wrote resolution differs from that of Murder on the Orient Express, the obvious allusions and tributes make the episode particularly engaging and fascinating.

Murder on the Orient Express Is a Christie Novel With Multiple Adaptations

Agatha Christie’s stories have been turned into shows for television, movies, plays, and radio. Murder on the Orient Express is one of her most adapted novels, despite only having two major film versions. The first movie came out in 1974 and is still considered the best and most accurate adaptation. It boasts an incredible cast, including Albert Finney as Poirot, as well as famous actors like Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, and Ingrid Bergman.

A new film version of Murder on the Orient Express came out in 2017, with Kenneth Branagh playing Hercule Poirot and a fantastic supporting cast including Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Olivia Coleman. Like the show Murder, She Wrote, which often featured famous guest stars, the episode “Murder Takes the Bus” stars Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher with appearances by Michael Constantine (from Room 222), Larry Linville (MASH), Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls*), and others.

Beyond the official movie and TV adaptations of Murder on the Orient Express, the Murder, She Wrote episode “Murder Takes the Bus” is a wonderful tribute to Agatha Christie’s famous novel. Murder, She Wrote wasn’t alone – many other series have also drawn inspiration from Christie’s work. Her enduring influence and legacy as the Queen of Mystery and the Queen of Crime are undeniable.

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2025-11-13 18:10